Preview: Kayserispor vs. Besiktas - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors have bolstered their chances of qualifying for Europe after an excellent set of results since the league's resumption.

Match preview

Taking 10 points from a possible 12 since the resumption of the Super Lig has been the perfect response for Besiktas, after they won just two of their final eight before the World Cup break.

That run of form saw Valerien Ismael lose his job, and Senol Gunes has come in and made a big impact to help Besiktas climb the table.

They now have a kind run of fixtures over the next month, and they must take advantage, because despite being 10 points off the league leaders, finishing second is still well within their remit, and that could mean Champions League football next season.

They do not play any of the big hitters now for over a month, until they face a rather treacherous run of away games against Istanbul Basaksehir, Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor through February and March.

Besiktas lost on penalties to Ankaragucu in the Turkish Cup in midweek, so the Super Lig is now their only avenue for success this season.

A woeful return to action for Kayserispor has now separated them from the top six.

A six point deficit to Trabzonspor in sixth was caused by three straight defeats to restart their campaign, a run of results which was not expected from a side which overachieved before the break.

Cagdas Atan's side put things right last weekend though, as an Olivier Kemen-inspired performance saw them thrash Sivasspor 4-1.

As they fade into mid-table though, with European dreams dwindling, they at least still have another cup adventure to look forward to after reaching the final last season.

A win in extra time at Antalyaspor on Tuesday saw them reach the quarter-finals of what is shaping up to be a very competitive competition, with Besiktas the only superpower to fall so far.

Kayserispor Turkish Super Lig form:

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Besiktas Turkish Super Lig form:

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Besiktas form (all competitions):

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Team News

Kayserispor have issues in attack going into this one, as Mame Thiam and Mario Gavranovic are both set to miss out with injury, while Dimitrios Kolovetsios is suspended in defence.

Atan rotated his side heavily for the cup win in midweek, especially in attack, but he should go back to a roughly similar side that comfortably saw off Sivasspor last week.

Gunes went near full strength in his team selection for their cup defeat, as six of the starters from their last league outing versus Konyaspor played 120 minutes.

Salih Ucan served his one-match suspension against Konyaspor and should return, while Rachid Ghezzal remains out with a toe injury.

Dele Alli remains out of favour with Gunes and has only played one minute in Besiktas' last five games.

Kayserispor possible starting lineup:

Gonen; Bulut, Kocaman, Hosseini, Carole; Campanharo, Kemen, Mensah; Cardoso, Carlos Mane, Sazdagi

Besiktas possible starting lineup:

Gunok; Rosier, Welinton, Sanuc, Masuaku; Souza, Saiss, Gedson Fernandes; Redmond, Muleka, Tosun

We say: Kayserispor 1-2 Besiktas

Kayserispor may have turned a corner after two excellent wins in the last seven days, but this will be an even greater challenge against one of the 'Big Three'.

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